Myanmar opposition to contest 'all' by-elections in late 2014

Breaking News March 21, 2014 00:00

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Yangon - Myanmar's main opposition party said Friday that it would contest by-elections later this year to fill 30 parliamentary seats vacated by cabinet appointments and deaths over the past three years.

The Union Election Commission (UEC) said Thursday that it would hold polls in November or December to fill 13 vacant seats in the Upper House, six in the Lower House and 11 in regional and state assemblies.

The precise date would be announced three months ahead of the polls, UEC chairperson Tin Aye said.

"We are now preparing to contest in all 30 constituencies," said Nyan Win, spokesman for the National League for Democracy (NLD) party of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

It will be second round of by-elections since the quasi-civilian government led by President Thein Sein took power in March 2011.